In Profile: LeeAnn Long

BUSINESS: Pahrump Valley Auto Plaza Lube Tech

AGE: 31

BACKGROUND: “My dad was Sam Stringer, and being a race car driver, he was always working on cars. I learned from him. I’ve worked for Grease Monkey when they were here and I’ve worked for the local grocery stores and fast food places we have here.”

FIRST JOB: “I bused tables at the Pahrump Valley Winery restaurant years ago when I was 16.”

YEARS IN BUSINESS: “I’m a Pahrump native. I’ve lived here all my life and worked here since I was old enough to do so. Pahrump Valley Auto Plaza is very community- oriented. The company donates to the charities for their raffle items and the parking lot has hosted many car washes to benefit sports teams, cheerleading and other nonprofit organizations around town.”

PERSONAL: “We are a very close family and I enjoy spending time with them and spending time with my son. We like to hike and play sports, go rock collecting and we love the car races.”

BUSINESS CLIMATE:

“Pahrump is a small community which benefits from networking and word-of-mouth referrals.

“We need jobs. I’ve never had a business here, but my parents do, and I think the town could be more business friendly. If we had more businesses here, we’d have the services and jobs people need. They wouldn’t be inclined to go to Las Vegas to get what they want. We should keep our money local.